Blog: Enrichment – Watts Gallery

To recognise the contribution lifelong education and additional activities can oer to physical and emotional well-being, PLACE offers a discretionary Enrichment Programme in addition to training and CPD. This is designed to allow each member of sta the opportunity to follow an ambition or reach a goal; to do something they would never normally have time to do.

My choice to visit Watts Gallery was sparked by my passion for oil painting. Dedicated to painter and sculptor George Frederick Watts and his wife, designer and artist Mary Watts, the gallery first opened its doors in April 1904 with the shared vision for art to be available to everyone. As a charity, the Artists’ Village continues to inspire through their community engagement, collections and exhibitions.

George and Mary’s restored home of Limnerslease (combining ‘limner’ meaning artist and ‘leasen’ meaning to glean hope for the future) proudly shows o Mary’s skills in the lengthy process and creation of the beautiful ceilings, expressing the meaning behind each panel’s decorative design.

George’s art and sculptures can be seen in many dierent sizes and it becomes clear as you walk around that he was not afraid to go large. To the extent whilst renovating his studio, George incorporated an extremely tall window for enabling his works to be moved inside and out, and also a lowering and raising steel support frame which descends down into the floor to ensure easy reach to all four corners of his canvas – inspired!

In the Artist in Residence studio on this occasion was Edo Pop: Japanese Prints dating 1825- 1895, and really adding to the huge variety of art on display.

Moving on around the Artists Village, I came across the beautiful wooden structure shown here which was built for the community to hold meetings, talks, to enjoy picnics or to just sit and contemplate. A fine example of the art of design in architecture.

Further on is the Watts Cemetery Chapel, designed by Mary and built with help from the local community, it is Grade I listed and remains a working chapel. The terracotta and clay tile chapel has the most extraordinarily beautiful and amazing wall paintings, and is the final resting place for both Mary and George. With its cruciform roof it is an extremely unique work of art and design.

Mary also established the Compton Potters’ Arts Guild, promoting traditional crafts among the local community which continues today with products to be seen on display in the shop.

This day was an opportunity to indulge and dream, to find inspiration for myself and colleagues in the beautifully conserved buildings, from the Arts & Crafts studio-home of Limnerslease to the Cemetery Chapel, the latter of which is a tribute to Mary’s work as a designer.

…and finally, my particular favourite.

Watts Gallery is a charity and I was delighted to be able to support this very special, informative and worthy cause. What a treat! I consider myself suitably enriched and encourage you to visit Watts Gallery.

Photographs: Jennifer Hawksworth 2024